Upright Vacuum Cleaner

ABSTRACT

Several embodiments of an upright surface cleaning apparatus are disclosed. In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus is an upright surface cleaning apparatus that is operable in a floor cleaning configuration and in two above floor cleaning configurations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/036,818, filed on Sep. 25, 2013, now, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/396,918, filed on Feb. 15, 2012, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,567,006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/954,310, filed on Dec. 12, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No.8,166,607, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional patentapplication 60/869,586, filed on Dec. 12, 2006, now expired, each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to a surface cleaning apparatus. In someembodiments, the disclosure relates to a surface cleaning apparatusoperable in a floor cleaning configuration and in two above floorcleaning configurations. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates toan upright surface cleaning apparatus that includes a mounting member towhich one or more components of an upper section are mounted.

2. Background Art

Upright cyclonic vacuum cleaners are known in the art. Typical uprightcyclonic vacuum cleaners include an upper section, including the cycloneassembly, mounted to a surface cleaning head. An upflow conduit istypically provided between the surface cleaning head and the uppersection. In some such vacuum cleaners, a spine or backbone extendsbetween the surface cleaning head and the upper section for supportingthe upper section. In other vacuum cleaners, a spine or backbone is notprovided, and the upflow conduit supports the upper section. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 1,759,947 to Lee describes an upright cyclonicvacuum cleaner wherein the upper section includes a single cyclone. Aconduit extends from the surface cleaning head into the bottom of thecyclone and upwards towards the top of the cyclone. Air exits theconduit at the top potion of the cyclone. Another upright cyclonicvacuum cleaner is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,234 to Conrad. In thecleaner, the upper section includes a first cyclonic cleaning stagecomprising a single cyclone, and a second cyclonic cleaning stagecomprising a plurality of cyclones mounted above the first cycloniccleaning stage. A conduit extends from the surface cleaning head throughthe bottom of the first cyclone and upwards toward the top of the firstcyclone.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one broad aspect, an upright surface cleaningapparatus is provided. The upright surface cleaning apparatus has afirst cyclonic cleaning stage and comprises a surface cleaning headhaving a dirty fluid inlet. A fluid flow path extends from the dirtyfluid inlet to a clean air outlet of the upright surface cleaningapparatus. A support member is mounted to the surface cleaning head, anda mounting member mounted to the support member. At least two operatingcomponents of the upright surface cleaning apparatus, including acleaning stage, are mounted directly or indirectly to the mountingmember. A suction motor is provided in the fluid flow path downstream ofthe cleaning stage. According to this aspect, the mounting member, whichpreferably has an air flow conduit therethrough, may be used as a hub towhich operating components, e.g., one or more of a cyclone casing, afilter casing and a motor casings, are attached.

Embodiments in accordance with this broad aspect may be advantageousbecause various components, such as the suction motor and/or thecleaning stage may be relatively easily removed from the surfacecleaning apparatus, and therefore may be easily repaired or cleaned.

In some embodiments, the support member comprises an airflow ductforming part of the fluid flow path. In some other embodiments, theairflow duct is an up flow duct and the mounting member has an airflowpassage therethrough in air flow communication with the first cycloniccleaning stage.

In some embodiments, the cleaning stage comprises a cyclonic cleaningstage and another of the operating components comprises the suctionmotor.

In some embodiments, the cleaning stage comprises a cyclonic cleaningstage, another of the operating components comprises the suction motor,and the suction motor is mounted above the cyclonic cleaning stage. Insome further embodiments, the cyclonic cleaning stage comprises acyclone housing that is mounted directly or indirectly to the mountingmember, a filter is positioned downstream to the cyclonic cleaning stageand the suction motor is mounted to a housing in which the filter islocated. In some such embodiments, the filter is provided in the cyclonehousing and the suction motor is mounted to the cyclone housing. Inother such embodiments, the filter is provided in a filter housing thatis mounted to the cyclone housing and the suction motor is mounted tothe filter member.

In some embodiments, at least one of the operating components isremovably mounted to the mounting member.

In some embodiments, the mounting member includes an air flow valve.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises an above floorcleaning wand mounted to the mounting member or an operating componentmounted to thereto.

In some embodiments, the upright surface cleaning apparatus comprises anupper portion comprising the suction motor and the cleaning stage andthe upper portion is removably mounted to the surface cleaning head anduseable as a portable surface cleaning apparatus.

In some embodiments, the cleaning stage comprises a first cycloniccleaning stage and additional operating components comprise a secondcyclonic cleaning stage and the suction motor. In some furtherembodiments, at least two of the first cyclonic cleaning stage, thesecond cyclonic cleaning stage and the suction motor are mounteddirectly to the mounting member. In yet further embodiments, the firstcyclonic cleaning stage has a longitudinally extending outer surface andthe outer surface is visible except for a portion facing the supportmember.

In some embodiments, the support member comprises an air flow ductforming part of the fluid flow path.

In accordance with another broad alternate aspect, an upright surfacecleaning apparatus is provided. The upright surface cleaning apparatuscomprises a surface cleaning head having a first dirty fluid inlet. Theupright surface cleaning apparatus further comprises an above floorcleaning wand having a second dirty fluid inlet. An upright section ispivotally mounted to the surface cleaning head and comprises a supportmember and a first cyclonic cleaning stage selectively connectable influid flow communication with the first dirty fluid inlet and the seconddirty fluid inlet. The first cyclonic cleaning stage has alongitudinally extending outer surface and the outer surface is visibleexcept for a portion facing the support member. Air flow passages fromeach of the first and second dirty fluid inlets merge at a positionproximate the inlet of the first cyclonic cleaning stage. A suctionmotor is positioned downstream from the first cyclonic cleaning stage.Such a design may be optionally used with a mounting member.

In some embodiments, the suction motor is mounted on the uprightsection. In some embodiments, the suction motor is mounted above thefirst cyclonic cleaning stage.

In some embodiments, the support member is an up flow duct in a fluidflow path from the first dirty fluid inlet to the first cycloniccleaning stage.

In some embodiments, the first cyclonic cleaning stage is removablymounted to the upper section.

In some embodiments, the first cyclonic cleaning stage comprises atleast one collection chamber and the collection chamber is removablymounted to the first cyclonic cleaning stage.

In some embodiments, the support member comprises an up flow duct in afluid flow path from the first dirty fluid inlet to the first cycloniccleaning stage and the first cyclonic cleaning stage is mounted directlyor indirectly to the upflow duct. In some such embodiments, the suctionmotor is mounted directly or indirectly to the upflow duct.

In some embodiments, the support member comprises an up flow duct in afluid flow path from the first dirty fluid inlet to the first cycloniccleaning stage and the first cyclonic cleaning stage, a second cycloniccleaning stage and the suction motor are mounted directly to the upflowduct or a component mounted to the upflow duct.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a cleaning andsuction unit removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus anduseable as a portable surface cleaning apparatus, the cleaning andsuction unit comprising the suction motor, the first cyclonic cleaningstage and the above floor cleaning wand.

In some embodiments, the support member is an up flow duct in a fluidflow path from the first dirty fluid inlet to the first cycloniccleaning stage and the cleaning and suction unit removably mounted tothe upflow duct.

In accordance with another alternate broad aspect, an upright surfacecleaning apparatus is provided. The upright surface cleaning apparatuscomprises a surface cleaning head having a first dirty fluid inlet. Theupright surface cleaning apparatus further comprises an above floorcleaning wand having a second dirty fluid inlet. An upright section ispivotally mounted to the surface cleaning head and comprises a cleaningand suction unit removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus anduseable as a portable surface cleaning apparatus. The cleaning andsuction unit comprises a suction motor, a first cyclonic cleaning stage,and the above floor cleaning wand. The first cyclonic cleaning stage isselectively connectable in fluid flow communication with the first dirtyfluid inlet and the second dirty fluid inlet. The first cycloniccleaning stage has a longitudinally extending outer surface and theouter surface is visible except for a portion facing the support member.Such a design may be optionally used with by itself or with one or bothof either of the forgoing aspects.

In some embodiments, the upright section is pivotally mounted to thesurface cleaning head by a support member that is an up flow duct in afluid flow path from the first dirty fluid inlet to the first cycloniccleaning stage.

In some embodiments, the first cyclonic cleaning stage is removablymounted to the cleaning and suction unit.

In some embodiments, the first cyclonic cleaning stage comprises atleast one collection chamber and the collection chamber is removablymounted to the first cyclonic cleaning stage.

In some embodiments, the upright section is pivotally mounted to thesurface cleaning head by a support member that comprises an up flow ductin a fluid flow path from the first dirty fluid inlet to the firstcyclonic cleaning stage, and the first cyclonic cleaning stage, a secondcyclonic cleaning stage and the suction motor are mounted directly tothe upflow duct or a component mounted to the upflow duct.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

These and other advantages of the instant invention will be more fullyand completely understood in accordance with the following drawings ofthe preferred embodiments of the vacuum cleaner in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner according to afirst embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the upright vacuum cleaner of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the upright vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the upright vacuum cleaner of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the upright vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the vacuumcleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing a plurality of different componentswhich are interchangeable and may be utilized to custom design differentvacuum cleaners using common components;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a vacuumcleaner which may be constructed using the components of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a further alternate embodiment of a vacuum cleaner which maybe constructed using the components of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a further alternate embodiment of a vacuum cleaner which maybe constructed using the components of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a further alternate embodiment of a vacuum cleaner which maybe constructed using the components of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1wherein the dirt chamber is slidably mountable on the cyclone housingand separately removable from the vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal section through the upper casing of the vacuumcleaner of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the dirt chamber of FIG. 13 with theseparation plate shown in the horizontal position;

FIGS. 17 is a top plan view of the dirt chamber of FIG. 13 with theseparation plate shown in a raised position;

FIG. 18 is a cross section through the cyclone housing and dirt chambershown in FIG. 15 with the air flow pattern shown therein;

FIG. 19 is a cross section through an alternate cyclone housing and dirtchamber showing the air flow pattern therein;

FIG. 20 is a partial longitudinal sectional view through a rotatablymounted brush for a surface cleaning head wherein the brush drive motoris mounted internally inside the rotatably mounted brush;

FIG. 21 a is an exploded view of a cyclone housing showing an iris forthe outlet of the cyclone chamber in a first position;

FIG. 21 b is an exploded view of the cyclone housing and dirt chamber ofFIG. 24 a showing the iris in a second position;

FIG. 22 a is a cross section through an alternate cyclone housing anddirt chamber showing an adjustable height plate at a first position;

FIG. 22 b is a cross section through the same cyclone housing and dirtchamber as in FIG. 22 a wherein the plate has been adjusted to be closerto the dirt outlet of the cyclone;

FIG. 22 c is a perspective view of the cyclone housing of FIG. 25 a withthe cyclone chamber removed;

FIG. 22 d is a perspective view from above of the cyclone housing ofFIG. 22 c;

FIG. 22 e is a perspective view of the cyclone housing of FIG. 25 withthe separation plate removed;

FIG. 23 is a cross section through an alternate cyclone housing and dirtchamber wherein the configuration of the plate is adjustable;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner in accordancewith a further alternate embodiment of the instant invention wherein avalve is provided for adjusting the vacuum cleaner from a floor cleaningmode to above floor cleaning mode;

FIG. 25 is a cross section through the cyclone housing and dirt chamberof the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 24 wherein the vacuum cleaner is in thefloor cleaning mode;

FIG. 26 is a side elevational view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 25 inpartial section showing the air flow from the surface cleaning head tothe cyclone inlet;

FIG. 27 is a cross section through the cyclone housing and dirt chamberof the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 26 wherein the vacuum cleaner is in theabove floor cleaning mode;

FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 29showing the air flow from the inlet of the cleaning wand to the cycloneinlet;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner in accordance withanother embodiment of the instant invention having a shoulder strap andwherein the upper section has been removed from the cleaning head andhandle extension and is used in the above floor-cleaning mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-5 an embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 10of the present invention is shown. Surface cleaning apparatus 10 is anupright vacuum cleaner, and comprises a surface cleaning head 12 and anupper section 14. A dirty fluid inlet 16 is provided in the surfacecleaning head 12, and a fluid flow path extends from the dirty fluidinlet 16 to a clean air outlet 18 of the surface cleaning apparatus 10.The fluid flow path includes a suction motor 20 and at least onecleaning stage 22. In the embodiments shown, a support member or spine24 is mounted to the surface cleaning head 12, and a mounting member 26is mounted to the support member. At least two operating components ofthe surface cleaning apparatus 10 are mounted directly or indirectly tothe mounting member. Accordingly, the support member supports the uppersection 14 on the surface cleaning head 12.

In the embodiments shown, fluid enters surface cleaning head via dirtyfluid inlet 16 in surface cleaning head 12, and is directed upwards intothe at least one cleaning stage via an upflow duct 28. In someembodiments, as shown, support member 24 comprises upflow duct 28. Thatis, support member 24 provides fluid communication between surfacecleaning head 12 and upper section 14. In other embodiments, upflow duct28 may be a separate member. For example, upflow duct 28 may be aconduit that is affixed to support member 24. In the embodiments shown,support member 24 is pivotally mounted to surface cleaning head 12 via apivoting connector 30. Accordingly, upper section 14 is pivotallymounted to surface cleaning head 12.

In the embodiments shown, support member 24 extends upwardly towardsmounting member 26. Mounting member 26 serves as a support to which atleast two operating components of the upright surface cleaning apparatus10 are mounted. In the preferred embodiment, cleaning stage 22 isdirectly or indirectly mounted to mounting member 26, as will bedescribed further herein below. In a further preferred embodiment,cleaning stage 22 and suction motor 20 are directly or indirectlymounted to mounting member 26. In other embodiments, other operatingcomponents, such as a filter assembly or another cleaning stage, may bemounted to mounting member 26. In some embodiments, mounting member 26may be integrally formed with support member 24. In other embodiments,as shown in FIGS. 21-22, mounting member 26 may be integrally formed acomponent of upper section 14, for example cyclonic cleaning stage 22.In other embodiments, mounting member 26 may be a separate member. Asexemplified, mounting member may have a fluid flow path therethrough(see for example FIG. 7) or it may not include a fluid flow paththerethrough.

In embodiments wherein support 24 comprises upflow duct 28, mountingmember 26 may further serve to connect support 24 in fluid communicationwith cyclonic cleaning stage 22. That is, mounting member 26 maycomprise an airflow passage 31 (shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 21-22, and 23-28).In alternate embodiments (not shown), a mounting member may not beprovided, and support 24 may be mounted directly to cyclonic cleaningstage 22. In further alternate embodiments, wherein upflow duct 28 is aseparate member, a mounting member may not be provided, and upflow duct28 and support 24 may be mounted directly to cyclonic cleaning stage 22.

In the embodiments shown, air passes from support 24, into mountingmember 26, and from mounting member 26 into cleaning stage 22. In theembodiments shown, cleaning stage 22 is a single cyclonic cleaning stage22, which is provided in cyclone housing 32 having a longitudinallyextending outer surface. In some embodiments, housing 32 is transparentor translucent, such that a user may view the interior thereof. Airenters cyclonic cleaning stage 22 via inlet 23, which, in theembodiments shown is provided in an upper part of cyclonic cleaningstage 22. In some embodiments, prior to entering inlet 23, the air maybe directed along the exterior of cyclonic cleaning stage 22, such thatair enters cyclonic cleaning stage 22 in a tangential direction. Forexample, as can be seen in FIG. 5, mounting member 26 comprises aportion 29 extending along cyclonic cleaning stage 22. In alternateembodiments, wherein a mounting member is not provided, a portion ofupflow duct 28 may extend externally along cyclonic cleaning stage 22towards inlet 23. In cyclonic cleaning stage 22, dirt is separated fromair, and passes through outlet 35 into dirt chamber 34, which isprovided below cyclonic cleaning stage 18.

In some embodiments, a plate 37 may be positioned adjacent outlet 25. Itwill be appreciated that plate 37 may be positioned at any height indirt chamber 34. Preferably, plate 37 is positioned proximate the top ofdirt chamber 34 and proximate dirt outlet 25 from cyclone housing 32.Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 15, essentially the entire volume of dirtchamber 34 is available to function as dirt collection chamber 34.Preferably, plate 37 is positioned inwards from an inner wall of dirtcollection chamber 34, except for the portion of the inner wall to whichplate 37 may be attached, so as to define an annular gap between theouter wall of plate 37 and the inner wall of dirt chamber 34.Preferably, the minimum distance between plate 37 and cyclone housing 32or dirt chamber 34, is at least as large as the largest dimension of thecyclone inlet 23. For example, if the cyclone inlet 23 has a 1 inchdiameter, then the minimum distance between plate 37 and cyclone housing32 or dirt chamber 34 is preferably is 1 inch or larger. An advantage ofsuch a design is that any dirt particle that enters the cyclone housing32 will be able to pass through the gap into dirt collection chamber 34.The distance between the top of plate 37 and the bottom of the cyclonehousing may be 0.01-2.5 inches and is preferably at least the largestdiameter of the cyclone inlet.

In some embodiments, the plate 37 may be removable with dirt chamber 34from surface cleaning apparatus 10, as will be described further hereinbelow (see for example the embodiment of FIG. 6). An advantage of thisdesign is that plate 37 defines a partial cover for the dirt collectionchamber 34. Alternately, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7, plate 37may remain in position when dirt chamber 34 is removed. In such anembodiment, plate 34 is preferably attached to the bottom of cyclonehousing 32.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, as exemplified in FIGS. 16 and17, plate 37 is pivotally mounted to the inner wall of cyclone chamber34. Accordingly, plate 37 may be in the horizontal or closed positionshown in FIG. 16 when surface cleaning apparatus 10 is in use and whendirt chamber 34 is removed from the vacuum cleaner. When dirt collectionchamber 34 is inverted for emptying, plate 37 may pivot to an openposition (as exemplified in FIG. 17) due to gravity. If plate 37 ispivotally mounted to the inner wall of chamber 34, then the annular gapis preferably at least one inch. Such a configuration permits plate 37to pivot open to permit dirt to be emptied out of chamber 34 whenchamber 34 is inverted.

In some embodiments, plate 37 may have the same diameter as the cyclonedirt outlet 25. Accordingly, if the cyclone housing 32 is cylindrical,then the diameter of plate 37 may be the same as the diameter of thecyclone. Alternately, a shown in FIG. 19, if the cyclone is conical,plate 37 may have the same diameter as the outlet 25 of cyclone housing34. Alternately, plate 37 may have a larger diameter, as shown in FIG.18. It will be appreciated that if the cyclone is conical, then plate 37may have a diameter that is equal to the projected diameter of a end ofthe cone that is projected to the top of plate 37.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-5, surface cleaning apparatus 10 furthercomprises a filter assembly 36 provided downstream from cleaning stage22. In the embodiments shown, filter assembly 36 is housed in filterhousing 38. In alternate embodiments (not shown), filter assembly may beprovided in the cyclone housing 32. From cyclonic cleaning stage 22, airpasses out of outlet 27 upwardly and through filter assembly 36. The airexits filter assembly 36 and is directed to motor 20, which is housed inhousing 40. In the embodiments shown, motor 20 is provided on uppersection 14, adjacent and above filter assembly 36. In alternateembodiments, motor 20 may be provided in cleaning head 12. In eitherembodiment, motor 20 is provided downstream from the cleaning stage 22.Accordingly, a downflow duct may be provided between upper section 14and surface cleaning head 12. In some embodiments, support member 24 maycomprise the downflow duct. In other embodiments, the downflow duct maybe a separate member.

In alternate embodiments, cleaning unit may be otherwise configured. Forexample, upper section 14 may comprise a second cleaning stage (notshown) positioned above cleaning stage 22 and including a plurality ofcyclones in parallel. furthermore, in some embodiments, cleaning unitmay comprise no filter assemblies, or more than one filter assembly.

As previously mentioned, in one optional aspect a mounting member 26serves to provide a support to which operating components, preferably atleast two operating components, of the upright surface cleaningapparatus are directly or indirectly mounted. In the preferredembodiment, one of the operating components comprises cleaning stage 22.In a further preferred embodiment, the other of the operating componentscomprises suction motor 20. Preferably, suction motor 20 and/or cleaningstage 22 are removably mounted to mounting member 26. In someembodiments, mounting member 26 further serves to connect upflow duct 28in fluid communication with cyclonic cleaning stage 22. It will beappreciated that, in accordance with this aspect, any construction maybe used for the operating components. For example, any cyclonic cleaningstage or stages and/or any filtration member known in the surfacecleaning art may be used.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in the embodiments shown, mounting member 26comprises a body 42 having an upper portion 44 and a lower portion 46.Lower portion 46 defines an opening 48 for receiving an upper end 50 ofsupport member 24. Upper end 50 of support member 24 may be securelymounted in opening 48 by any means, such as by an adhesive, a frictionfit, a set screw or the like. In embodiments wherein support member 24comprises upflow duct 28, opening 48 may be in fluid communication witha cyclone chamber inlet 23. In the embodiment shown, the upper portion44 of mounting member 24 comprises a second opening 52. Second opening52 receives a lower end 54 of a handle extension 55, which supportshandle 56. Lower end 54 may be secured in second opening 52 by any meansknown in the art.

Mounting member 26 further comprises a portion 57 for receiving one ormore operating components of surface cleaning apparatus 10. For example,as shown in FIG. 7, mounting member 26 is provided with a securing ring58. Securing ring 58 provides a member to which one or more operatingcomponents may be mounted, preferably removably mounted. For example, inthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-14, upper section 14 may be assembledby positioning filter housing 38 above securing ring 58, and positioningcleaning stage housing 32 below ring 58. Filter housing 38 and cleaningstage housing 32 may then be secured together, preferably removablysecured together, for example by using screws, a bayonet mount, or ascrew thread. In alternate embodiments, filter housing 38 and cleaningstage 32 may be permanently secured together, for example by using anadhesive or welding.

Motor housing 40 may then be mounted to filter housing 38, for exampleby using by using screws, a bayonet mount, a screw thread, or anadhesive or welding. Preferably motor housing 40 is removably mounted tofilter housing 38. Additionally, dirt chamber 34 may be mounted,preferably removably mounted, to cleaning stage 22. Accordingly, in thisembodiment, the first cleaning stage 22 is directly mounted to mountingmember 26, and motor 20 is indirectly mounted to mounting member 26.

In other embodiments, operating components of surface cleaning apparatus10 may be mounted to mounting member 26 in another manner. For example,in one embodiment (not shown), mounting member 26 may comprise a bracketto which filter housing 38 may be mounted, for example by using screws.Cleaning stage housing 32 may then be mounted to filter housing, withoutcontacting mounting member 26. Dirt chamber 34 may then be mounted tocleaning stage housing 32, and motor housing 40 may be mounted abovefilter housing 38. Accordingly, in this embodiment, both of firstcleaning stage 22 and motor 20 are indirectly mounted to mounting member26.

In another embodiment (not shown), motor housing 40 may be positionedabove securing ring 58, and filter housing 38 may be positioned belowsecuring ring 58, and motor housing 40 and filter housing 38 may besecured together, for example using screws. Cleaning stage housing 32may then be mounted below filter housing 38, for example using screws,and dirt chamber 34 may be mounted below dirt chamber 34. Accordingly,in this embodiment, motor 20 is directly mounted to mounting member 26,and cleaning stage housing 22 is indirectly mounted to mounting member26. In other embodiments, as previously mentioned, motor 20 may beprovided on surface cleaning head 12. Accordingly, in such embodiments,motor 20 may not be mounted to mounting member 26 at all.

In yet another embodiment, a second cleaning stage (not shown) may beprovided, and may be positioned above securing ring 58. First cleaningstage 22 may be positioned below securing ring 58, and may be secured tothe second cleaning stage.

It will be appreciated that, in alternate embodiments, upper section 14may have the units arranged in a different order. For example, motorhousing 40 need not be provided on top of filtration housing 38.Instead, motor housing 40 could be provided beneath dirt chamber 34.

In the above embodiments, dirt chamber 34 is preferably removablymounted to cleaning stage 22, such that a user may empty dirt chamber34. For example, referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, cleaning stage housing 32comprises flanges 61 at a lower end thereof which provide slots 60. Dirtchamber 34 comprises a rim 62, which may be slidably received in slots60. Dirt chamber 34 further comprises a handle 63, for gripping dirtchamber 34. In some embodiments, plate 37 may be removable with dirtchamber 34 from surface cleaning apparatus 10 (see for example theembodiment of FIG. 6). An advantage of this design is that plate 37defines a partial cover for the dirt collection chamber. Alternately, asshown in the embodiment of FIG. 7, plate 37 may remain in position whendirt chamber 34 is removed.

One advantage of the embodiments described above is that the volume ofthe upright vacuum cleaner may be reduced. In particular, in theembodiments shown, a housing is not provided for receiving upper section14. That is, the outer surfaces of one or more of cleaning stage 22,motor housing 40, filter housing 38, and dirt chamber 34 may be visiblewhen surface cleaning apparatus is in use (except for the portionsfacing support member 24, handle extension 55, and/or the upflow duct).Accordingly, the overall volume of the vacuum cleaner is reduced. Inaddition, the weight of the vacuum cleaner is also substantiallyreduced. In particular, the amount of plastic that is typically used toconstruct an upper casing of a cyclonic vacuum cleaner that receives aremovable cyclone chamber or dirt chamber substantially increases theweight of the vacuum cleaner. In the embodiments shown, surface cleaningapparatus 10 may weigh 10 lbs. or less (without the cord) and,preferably less than 8 lbs.

A further advantage of the embodiments shown is that, if the elements ofupper section 14 are removably mounted to each other and to mountingmember 26, the upper section 14 may be easily disassembled for cleaning.In addition, if a component needs to be replaced, the user may merelyacquire the required component (e.g. by purchasing it at a store or online) and replace the faulty component. For example, if motor 20 fails,pursuant to a warranty plan, the manufacturer may merely ship therequired motor housing 40 and motor 20 to the customer who may remove(e.g., unscrew) the motor housing 40 having the faulty suction motor 20and replace it with the new replacement part.

A further advantage of this design is that filter assembly 36 may beaccessed for removal (for cleaning or replacement) by disassembling aportion of upper section 14. For example, in the embodiments of FIGS. 6and 7, filter assembly 36 may be accessed by removing motor housing 40from upper section 14. Accordingly, a door or the like is not requiredin filter housing 38, thereby simplifying the construction of filterhousing 38.

A further advantage of this modular construction is that alternatevacuum cleaners may be created by selecting alternate components forupper section 14 and/or alternate surface cleaning heads 12. Forexample, referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of upright vacuum cleaners maybe designed by utilizing alternate motor housings 40, 40′, cleaningstage housings 32, 32′, dirt chambers 34, 34′, and surface cleaningheads 12, 12′.

In some embodiments, a plurality of different motor casings 40, cleaningstage housings 32, dirt chambers 34, and cleaning heads 12 are provided.In addition, a plurality of handles 56 may be provided. Accordingly, aplurality of vacuum cleaners having a different appearance may beprepared by selecting particular components. For example, as shown inFIG. 9, surface cleaning apparatus 10 utilizes the same components asthe vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 except that a different dirt chamber 34 anda different surface cleaning head 12 are utilized. Accordingly, surfacecleaning apparatus 10 has a different appearance. Similarly, withrespect to FIG. 10, a different motor housing 40 and surface cleaninghead 12 are utilized to create a vacuum cleaner of a differentappearance to that of FIG. 1.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, which may be use byitself or with any other aspect, an above floor cleaning assembly 64 isprovided (see for example FIG. 11). In this embodiment, surface cleaningapparatus 10 comprises first 16 and second 17 (shown in FIG. 28) dirtyfluid inlets, which are selectively connectable in fluid flowcommunication with cleaning stage 22. Surface cleaning apparatus 10 maybe converted from a floor cleaning mode (FIGS. 25 and 26) to an abovefloor cleaning mode (FIGS. 27, and 28) by rotating an airflow valve 66provided in mounting member 26, In the floor cleaning mode, valve 66connects upflow duct 28 to cyclone inlet 23 such that air travels fromfirst dirty fluid inlet 16 in surface cleaning head 12 to cyclone inlet23. When valve 66 is rotated to the other position, and handle extension55 is removed from mounting member 26, air travels from second dirtyfluid inlet 17 through handle extension 55, to flexible hose 68, andpast valve 66 to cyclone inlet 23. Accordingly, in this embodiment, thefirst 16 and second 17 dirty fluid inlets are respectively in flowcommunication with first 71 and second 73 airflow passages, which mergeat a position proximate the inlet of the first cyclonic cleaning stage22. One advantage of this design is that a simplified structure forconverting a surface cleaning apparatus 10 to an above cleaning mode isprovided. In addition, as valve 66 is provided in mounting member 26,and therefore a few feet above the floor, then a user need not bend downto rotate valve 66 between the floor cleaning position and the abovefloor cleaning position. In other embodiments, valve 66 may be affixedto the handle 56 or support member 24.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention, which may be usedby itself or with any other aspect or aspects, surface cleaningapparatus 10 is convertible to a portable surface cleaning apparatus.That is upper section 14 is convertible to a portable cleaning andsuction unit. Referring to FIG. 29, surface cleaning apparatus 10 isprovided with a shoulder strap 70. In order to convert the surfacecleaning apparatus 10 to a portable surface cleaning apparatus, the usermay unwind shoulder strap 70 and extend it across their shoulder. Uppersection 14, including mounting member 26, may be removed from supportmember 24 by, for example, actuating a release catch which secureshandle 56 in opening 52, and lifting upper section 12 off of supportmember 24 using a handle on top of motor housing 40. Accordingly, uppersection 14 is converted to a portable cleaning and suction unit 14.

In any of the above embodiments, as exemplified in FIG. 20,surface-cleaning head 12 includes a rotatably mounted brush 74.Rotatably mounted brush 74 includes a central hub 76 with a plurality ofbristles 78 extending outwardly therefrom. In accordance with thisaspect, it is preferred that central hub 76 is at least sufficientlyhollow to receive brush drive motor 80 therein. Accordingly, if brushdrive motor is non-rotatably mounted in central hub 76, and if axles 82are rotatably mounted in bearings in surface cleaning head 12, then whenbrush drive motor 80 is engaged, the rotation of brush drive motor 80will cause brush 74 to rotate. Brush drive motor may be non-rotatablymounted in hub 76 by, e.g., a friction fit, a set screw or an adhesive.

In some embodiments, the vacuum cleaner may be reconfigurable to adaptthe vacuum cleaner to collect a different types of particulate matter.For example, it may be desirable to utilize the vacuum cleaner tocollect dry wall dust. Accordingly, the vacuum cleaner may bereconfigurable in one of several ways. Referring to FIGS. 22 a-22 d,according to one option, lever 84 is drivingly connected to plate 37 soas to adjust the position of plate 37 with respect to outlet 25.Accordingly, if the vacuum cleaner is to be utilized to collect standardhousehold dust including dog hair, then the lever 84 may be moved to afirst position, which is better suited for collecting such material.However, if the vacuum cleaner is then going to be used to collect, forexample, dry wall dust, the lever 84 may be used to a second positionwherein plate 37 is at a distance from outlet 25 that is more suited forthe collection of dry wall dust. In a particularly preferred embodiment,a scale or labeled positions may be provided on the outer surface ofhousing 32 to indicate the preferred position of lever 84 for differenttypes of dust. Accordingly, in order to reconfigure surface cleaningapparatus 10 for a particular type of dirt, a user may merely move lever84 to a pre-marked position. It will be appreciated that lever 84 mayoperate in a variety of ways, each of which is within the scope of thisdescription. For example, lever 84 may be slidably mounted in a verticaldirection so that as lever 84 is moved upwardly or downwardly, plate 37is also moved upwardly or downwardly. Alternately, a gear or crankmechanism may be utilized such that as lever 84 is moved sideways orrotated, the height of plate 37 is adjusted.

Alternately, it will be appreciated that plate 37 may be removablymounted, either to dirt chamber 34 or cyclone housing 32 (as exemplifiedin FIG. 22 e). Accordingly, a plate having a different configuration,e.g., convex as exemplified in FIG. 23, may re selectively inserted.Alternately, as exemplified in FIG. 23, a control 90 may be providedwhich, when actuated, will cause plate 37 to change its configuration.For example, a plurality of cables may extend underneath plate 37 and beconnected to a take up reel, which is driven by rotation of control 90.Accordingly, when control 90 is turned and draws the cable onto thereel, plate 37 will deform to a position shown in FIG. 26. When control90 is rotated in the opposite direction, the elasticity of plate 37 willcause it to revert to its original shape (e.g. flat).

In some embodiments, the size of dirt outlet 25 may be variable. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 21 a and 21 b, an iris 86 may be provided.The size of the opening 25 defined by iris 86 may be controlled byadjustable lever 88. The outer surface of cyclone housing 32 may have ascale provided thereon, or labeled positions defining the preferredposition for lever 88 (and accordingly the size of opening of iris 86)for different types of dirt.

While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, itwill be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the describedembodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from thespirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments.Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to beillustrative of the invention and non-limiting and it will be understoodby persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surface cleaning apparatus operable in a floorcleaning configuration and in two above floor cleaning configurations,the surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a surface cleaning headhaving a first dirty fluid inlet and an upper section moveably mountedto the surface cleaning head, the upper section includes a supportmember comprising an upflow duct; a flexible hose and a rigid, abovefloor cleaning conduit, an upstream end of the above floor cleaningconduit comprising a second dirty fluid inlet; a cleaning and suctionunit detachably mounted to the upflow duct and useable as a portablesurface cleaning apparatus when detached, the cleaning and suction unitcomprising a suction motor, at least one cleaning stage provided in thefluid flow path and a housing and the upflow duct is removablyreceivable in the housing; wherein the surface cleaning apparatus isconfigurable amongst: a floor cleaning configuration in which thecleaning and suction unit is mounted to the upper section and a firstair flow path comprising the upflow duct that fluidly connects the firstdirty fluid inlet to the cleaning and suction unit; a first above floorcleaning configuration in which the cleaning and suction unit is mountedto the upper section, the above floor cleaning conduit is removed from astored position on the upper section and a second air flow path fluidlyconnects the second dirty fluid inlet and the clean air outlet andcomprises the flexible hose; and a second above floor cleaningconfiguration in which the cleaning and suction unit is detached fromthe upper section, the above floor cleaning conduit is detached from thestored position and the second air flow path fluidly connects the seconddirty fluid inlet and the clean air outlet and comprises the flexiblehose.
 2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cleaningand suction unit is vertically removeable from the support member. 3.The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cleaning andsuction unit has an upper surface having a carry handle.
 4. The surfacecleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a valve positioned inthe first air flow path upstream from the upflow duct, the valvemoveable between a first position in which the valve provides fluidcommunication between the upflow duct and the cleaning and suction unit,and a second position in which the valve provides fluid communicationbetween the flexible hose and the cleaning and suction unit.
 5. Thesurface cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one cleaningstage comprises a cyclone having a cyclone axis, the suction motor has asuction motor axis and the cyclone axis and the suction motor axis areparallel.
 6. A surface cleaning apparatus operable in a floor cleaningconfiguration and in two above floor cleaning configurations, thesurface cleaning apparatus comprising: a surface cleaning head having afirst dirty fluid inlet and an upper section moveably mounted to thesurface cleaning head; a flexible hose and a rigid, above floor cleaningconduit, an upstream end of the above floor cleaning conduit comprisinga second dirty fluid inlet; a cleaning and suction unit verticallyremoveable from the upper section and useable as a portable surfacecleaning apparatus when detached, the cleaning and suction unitcomprising an upper surface having a carry handle, a suction motor andat least one cleaning stage provided in the fluid flow path, wherein thecarry handle is unobstructed from above whereby a user may access thecarry handle from above; wherein the surface cleaning apparatus isconfigurable amongst: a floor cleaning configuration in which thecleaning and suction unit is mounted to the upper section and a firstair flow path fluidly connects the first dirty fluid inlet to thecleaning and suction unit; a first above floor cleaning configuration inwhich the cleaning and suction unit is mounted to the upper section, theabove floor cleaning conduit is removed from a stored position on theupper section and a second air flow path fluidly connects the seconddirty fluid inlet and the clean air outlet and comprises the flexiblehose; and a second above floor cleaning configuration in which thecleaning and suction unit is detached from the upper section, the abovefloor cleaning conduit is detached from the stored position and thesecond air flow path fluidly connects the second dirty fluid inlet andthe clean air outlet and comprises the flexible hose.
 7. The surfacecleaning apparatus of claim 6, wherein the upper section includes asupport member comprising an upflow duct and the cleaning and suctionunit is detachably vertically removable from the support member.
 8. Thesurface cleaning apparatus of claim 7, wherein the support member isremovably receivable in a housing provided on the cleaning and suctionunit.
 9. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 8, wherein the housinghas a lower surface in which the support member is removably receivable.10. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 7, wherein the upflow ductis rigid and the cleaning and suction unit is detachably mounted to andsupported by the upflow duct.
 11. The surface cleaning apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the cleaning and suction unit includes a housinghaving a lower surface and the upflow duct is removably receivable inthe housing.
 12. A surface cleaning apparatus operable in a floorcleaning configuration and in two above floor cleaning configurations,the surface cleaning apparatus comprising: a surface cleaning headhaving a first dirty fluid inlet and an upper section moveably mountedto the surface cleaning head; a flexible hose and a rigid, above floorcleaning conduit, an upstream end of the above floor cleaning conduitcomprising a second dirty fluid inlet; a cleaning and suction unitdetachably mounted to the upper section and useable as a portablesurface cleaning apparatus when detached, the cleaning and suction unitcomprising a suction motor and at least one cleaning stage provided inthe fluid flow path; wherein the surface cleaning apparatus isconfigurable amongst: a floor cleaning configuration in which thecleaning and suction unit is mounted to the upper section and a firstair flow path fluidly connects the first dirty fluid inlet to thecleaning and suction unit; a first above floor cleaning configuration inwhich the cleaning and suction unit is mounted to the upper section, theabove floor cleaning conduit is removed from a stored position on theupper section and a second air flow path fluidly connects the seconddirty fluid inlet and the clean air outlet and comprises the flexiblehose; and a second above floor cleaning configuration in which thecleaning and suction unit is detached from the upper section, the abovefloor cleaning conduit is detached from the stored position and thesecond air flow path fluidly connects the second dirty fluid inlet andthe clean air outlet and comprises the flexible hose.
 13. The surfacecleaning apparatus of claim 12, wherein the upper section includes asupport member comprising an upflow duct and the cleaning and suctionunit is detachably mounted to the support member, and wherein when thesurface cleaning apparatus is in the floor cleaning configuration theupflow duct forms a portion of the first air flow path connecting thefirst dirty fluid inlet and the clean air outlet.
 14. The surfacecleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein the support member is removablyreceivable in a housing provided on the cleaning and suction unit. 15.The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein the housing has alower surface in which the support member is removably receivable. 16.The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein the upflow duct isrigid and the cleaning and suction unit is detachably mounted to andsupported by the upflow duct.
 17. The surface cleaning apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the cleaning and suction unit includes a housinghaving a lower surface and the upflow duct is removably receivable inthe housing.
 18. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein thecleaning and suction unit is vertically removeable from the supportmember.
 19. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 18, wherein thecleaning and suction unit has an upper surface having a carry handle.20. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 13, further comprising avalve positioned in the first air flow path upstream from the upflowduct, the valve moveable between a first position in which the valveprovides fluid communication between the upflow duct and the cleaningand suction unit, and a second position in which the valve providesfluid communication between the flexible hose and the cleaning andsuction unit.
 21. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12, whereinthe above floor cleaning conduit and flexible hose are mounted to thecleaning and suction unit and are detachable from the upper section withthe cleaning and suction unit.
 22. The surface cleaning apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the suction and cleaning unit comprises the clean airoutlet.
 23. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12, wherein the atleast one cleaning stage comprises a cyclonic cleaning stage.
 24. Thesurface cleaning apparatus of claim 23, wherein the cleaning and suctionunit comprises a dirt collection chamber external the cyclonic cleaningstage and in communication with a dirt outlet of the cyclonic cleaningstage.
 25. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12, furthercomprising an upper section handle provided toward a downstream end ofthe above floor cleaning conduit, the upper section handle is drivinglyconnected to the surface cleaning head when the surface cleaningapparatus is in the floor cleaning configuration.
 26. The surfacecleaning apparatus of claim 25, wherein the second dirty air inlet ofthe above floor cleaning conduit is removably connectable to thecleaning and suction unit, whereby the upper section handle is drivinglyconnected to the surface cleaning head when the cleaning and suctionunit is mounted to the upper section.
 27. The surface cleaning apparatusof claim 25, wherein the upper section handle is removable from theupper section with the above floor cleaning conduit and is usable tomanipulate the above floor cleaning conduit when the surface cleaningapparatus is in the first or second above floor cleaning configurations.28. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 25, wherein an upstream endof the flexible hose is connected to the downstream end of the abovefloor cleaning conduit adjacent the upper section handle.
 29. Thesurface cleaning apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least onecleaning stage comprises a cyclone having a cyclone axis, the suctionmotor has a suction motor axis and the cyclone axis and the suctionmotor axis are parallel.